Feast of St Thomas Aquinas, Dominican, Doctor of the Church

Detail from 'Madonna and Child Enthroned between Angels and Saints'
Domenico Ghirlandaio, c.1486

As he was dying, St Thomas received the Holy Eucharist and then declared:

If in this world there be any knowledge of this sacrament stronger than that of faith, I wish now to use it in affirming that I firmly believe and know as certain that Jesus Christ, True God and True Man, Son of God and Son of the Virgin Mary, is in this Sacrament . . . 

I receive Thee, the price of my redemption, for Whose love I have watched, studied, and laboured. Thee have I preached; Thee have I taught. Never have I said anything against Thee: if anything was not well said, that is to be attributed to my ignorance. 

Neither do I wish to be obstinate in my opinions, but if I have written anything erroneous concerning this sacrament or other matters, I submit all to the judgment and correction of the Holy Roman Church, in whose obedience I now pass from this life.

Pray for us, Thomas, our brother, that we have a faith as strong as yours and the will to share it, as you did, with all who seek veritas... that is, all who seek God, whether they know it or not.